Preview: Palmeiras vs. Bahia - prediction, team news, lineups

Fourth-placed Bahia will host fifth-placed Palmeiras in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A on Monday, with both sides looking to claim all three points and climb closer to the summit.

Both teams have accumulated seven points from their last four league games, and there is just one point separating them in the table.

Match preview

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Palmeiras suffered their second league defeat of the season when they were beaten 3-1 by league leaders Bragantino on Wednesday.

Ytalo scored twice for the hosts in the first half, before Breno Lopes pulled one back for the Palestra Alviverde in the 66th minute. However, Ytalo completed his hat-trick in the 88th minute, restoring Bragantino's two-goal cushion and sealing all three points.

Palmeiras remain fourth in the Serie A table, after accumulating 10 points from their opening six matches, and they are now four points adrift of the summit.

The current Copa Libertadores holders had a disappointing league campaign last year, finishing in seventh place, but head coach Abel Ferreira is confident that his side can improve this time around and challenge for their 11th top-flight title.

Palmeiras are unbeaten in their last 13 meetings across all competitions against Bahia – winning six and drawing seven – and another victory on Wednesday could see them climb into second place.

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Bahia earned three impressive points after winning an entertaining 2-1 encounter on home soil against high-flying Athletico Paranaense on Friday.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men just 13 minutes in when Richard was shown a straight red card for a high boot into the face of Rodriguinho; it then got worse for them four minutes later when Patrick de Lucca headed in from a corner to give Bahia the lead.

Paranaense were, however, able to get back into the game shortly before half time, when David Terans drilled in a 40th-minute equaliser.

Bahia dominated the second half with the extra man and eventually regained the lead in the 70th minute when Rossi headed in from close range; Paranense were then reduced to nine men late on after Marcinho was dismissed for a stamp on Rossi.

Dado Cavalcanti's men have now moved up to fourth in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A, three points behind table toppers Bragantino.

The Tricolor of Steel have finished inside the bottom half of the table in each of the last four seasons, but a victory on Monday could see them climb to the summit.

Team News

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Palmeiras boss Ferreira used a 3-5-2 formation against Bragantino but is set to revert to a four-man defence on Monday, which could feature veteran defensive midfielder Felipe Melo, who has played the last two matches as a centre-back.

Gustavo Scarpa, Danilo and Raphael Veiga could all keep their places in central midfield, while Luiz Adriano will be looking to replace Deyverson up front.

Forward Rony was fit enough to make the bench and come on as a substitute in the last match, and he is now in contention to start ahead of either Willian or Wesley.

As for Bahia, left-back Matheus Bahia is back from a one-match suspension and is in contention to start ahead of Juninho Capixaba.

The 21-year-old could join Nino Paraiba, German Conti and Juninho in the back four, while striker Gilberto will be hoping he can force his way back into the first XI ahead of Rodriguinho.

Bahia's only injury concern is with midfielder Juan Pablo Ramirez, who picked up a cruciate ligament injury in February and is expected to remain sidelined until October.

Palmeiras possible starting lineup:
Silvestre; Rocha, Melo, Renan, Luis; Scarpa, Danilo, Veiga; Rony, Adriano, Willian

Bahia possible starting lineup:
Teixeira; Paraiba, Conti, Juninho, Bahia; Anderson, De Lucca, Daniel; Rossi, Gilberto, Douglas

We say: Palmeiras 2-2 Bahia

Bahia have a poor record in meetings against Palmeiras, but they will take confidence from Friday's victory and will fancy their chances against the hosts, who have just lost their last league game.

Goals are to be expected in Monday's encounter, and we can see a high-scoring draw being played out at the Allianz Parque in Sao Paulo.